The following historical information is about the service of both the company, regiment, and the men, of the "Canton Zouaves" of the Fourth (4th) Ohio Infantry Regiment, U.S. Volunteers, which served in the American Civil War from May 1861 to June 1864. If you have any corrections, suggestions, or additional information that you wish to contribute, feel free to submit the information to the Webmaster.

The Fourth Ohio was organized at Camp Jackson, Columbus, Ohio, on the 25th day of April 1861, and acting under the old militia law of the State, the men proceeded to choose their officers by ballot. Lorin Andrews, the well known and highly honored President of Kenyon College, who had volunteered as a private (and who was among the first prominent citizens of the State who hastened to tender their services to the Government in any capacity in which they might be needed), thus became the Colonel of the regiment. Its ranks were filled by two companies from Mount Vernon, two from Delaware, two from Kenton, two from Marion, one from Canton and one from Wooster.

On the 2nd of May the regiment moved to Camp Dennison, and on the 4th, of the same was mustered into the three months service by Captain Gordon Granger, United States Army. A few days thereafter the President's call for three years men was made public, whereupon the majority of the regiment signified their willingness to enter the service for that period, it was mustered in for three years, dating from the 5th of June 1861.

On the 20th of June the regiment left Camp Dennison for Western Virginia, arriving at Grafton on the 23rd. Moving through Clarksburg and Buckhannon, it arrived at Rich Mountain on the 9th of July, but did not participate actively in that engagement, being held as a support for the skirmishers. On the 12th of July the regiment joined in the pursuit of the enemy, going to Beverly, Virginia, where it went into camp and rested for a day. On the 13th, six companies of the regiment, under Colonel Andrews, moved with the main column of General McClellan's forces to Huttonsville. The other four companies, under Lieutenant Colonel Cantwell, remained at Beverly, in charge of six hundred (600) Rebel prisoners until they were paroled. On the 14th the six companies moved to the summit of Cheat Mountain, but on the 16th returned to Beverly, where they remained until the 23rd, when they took the cars for New Creek, arriving there July 28. On the 7th of August they marched to Pendleton, Maryland.

On the 7th of September three companies of the regiment, A, F and K, under Major J.H. Godman, had a skirmish with the Rebels at Petersburg, Virginia, and captured a large quantity of provisions, animals and some prisoners, and brought the results of their enterprise back to Pendleton. Lieutenant Colonel Cantwell, with six companies of the regiment, moved on Romney, leaving Pendleton on the 24th of September, and, after a brisk engagement, drove the Rebels from that place. The loss of the regiment in this action was thirty-two (32) men wounded.

Colonel Andrews having died at his home in Gambier, Ohio, of camp fever, on the 4th of October his successor was appointed in the person of John S. Mason, a Captain in the United States Regular Infantry. Colonel Mason assumed command on the 14th of October.

On the 25th of October the regiment marched to New Creek, Virginia, where it joined General Kelly's command, and on the next day moved on Romney. The Rebels were again driven from that place, all his baggage, two pieces of artillery and a number of prisoners captured. Romney was occupied until January 7th, 1862, when the regiment under Colonel Mason moved on the Rebels at Blue Gap, sixteen miles from Romney, surprised and drove them from a fortified position, capturing all the camp equipage and two pieces of artillery.

Romney was evacuated on the 10th of January, and the regiment transferred to Patterson's Creek, on the north branch of the Potomac; and thence, on February 9th, to Pawpaw Tunnel on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. On the 1st of March the regiment moved toward Winchester, under Brigadier General Lander, but hearing of his death the next day, it returned to Pawpaw Tunnel, and remained there until the 7th of March. On that day it took the cars for Martinsburg, and arrived there on the 9th. On the 11th it moved toward Winchester, to find on its arrival that the enemy had evacuated the place on the day previous.

Making Winchester its base, detachments from the regiment were sent out in different directions, until the night of the 2r3d of March, when the regiment was reassembled at Winchester, and on the 24th it started in pursuit of Stonewall Jackson, who had been defeated at Kemstown the day previous. The enemy was pursued as far as Strasburg, where the regiment remained until the night of the 30th of March. It then moved to Edenburg, in the Valley. On the 17th of April the regiment again moved to New Market, skirmishing by the way. On the 27th it moved to Moor's farm, five miles from Harrisonburg, where it remained in camp until the 5th of May, when it again returned to New Market.

On the 12th of May the Fourth Ohio Infantry marched via Luray, Front Royal, Chester Gap, Warrenton and Catlett's Station, for Fredericksburg, Virginia, to join McDowell's Corps, arriving there on the 22nd of May. The next day the regiment was ordered back to the Valley via Manassas Junction. It reached Front Royal on the 30th, drove the enemy from that place, and captured a large quantity of ammunition, supplies and a number of prisoners. On the 3rd of June it moved toward Luray, and reached that place on the 7th. From Luray a forced march was made by the brigade for Port Republic, reaching there in time to cover the retreat of the National forces.

After marching and counter marching around Luray and Front Royal until the 29th of June, the regiment went by rail to Alexandria, from whence they embarked for the Peninsula, arriving at Harrison's Landing on the 1st of July. It remained at this Point until the 15th of August, and was the last regiment to leave Harrison's Landing on its evacuation by the Army of the Potomac. It marched via Charles City Courthouse, Williamsburg and Yorktown to Newport News, and on the 24th of August embarked for Aquia Creek and Alexandria, reaching the latter place on the 27th of August. On the 29th the regiment marched to Centerville, and on the 1st of September returned to Fairfax Courthouse. On the 2nd it marched to Fort Gaines, District of Columbia, and from thence to Harper's Ferry via the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. On the 1st of October the regiment marched to Leesburg via Waterford, returning to Harper's Ferry on the 2nd. On the 4th it marched to Halltown, coming back to Harper's Ferry on the 6th. October 30th the regiment broke camp and crossed the Shenandoah; November 1st marched to Gregory's Gap; thence through Smucker's and Ashby's Gap to Rectortown and Piedmont; thence to Salem, Warrenton and Falmouth, Virginia, where it remained in camp until the 12th of December, at which time, under command of Colonel Mason, it crossed the Rapidan into Fredericksburg, and was thrown to the front as skirmishers, and held that position until the next day, 13th of December, when the desperate charge was made through the streets of Fredericksburg. It received the first fire of the Rebel artillery on the right of the National line. The loss of the Fourth Ohio in this disastrous affair was very severe; five (5) officers and forty-three (43) enlisted men, out of one hundred and fifteen (915) engaged, were either killed or wounded. The regiment crossed the river in the night, with the rest of the National forces, and went into its old camp near Falmouth. Colonel Mason was made Brigadier General for his conduct at Fredericksburg.

The regiment continued in camp at Falmouth until the 28th of April, when it participated in Hooker's remarkable movement on Chancellorsville. On the 3rd of May the regiment engaged the enemy, and captured one stand of colors and over one hundred (100) prisoners, among whom were nine (9) commissioned officers. It lost in killed and wounded, seventy-eight (78) out of three hundred and fifty-two (352) engaged. On the 6th of May the regiment moved back to their old camp at Falmouth.

On the 14th of June the line of march was resumed toward Pennsylvania, in consequence of the Rebel army under Lee having invaded that State. Gainesville, Virginia, was reached on the 20th, where a halt was made until the 25th. The next day the Potomac was crossed at Edward's Ferry, and passing through Frederick, Uniontown was reached on the 29th, and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on the 1st of July, where the regiment took part in that great battle. It was one of the three regiments that drove the Rebels from Cemetery Hill, after they had driven a part of the Eleventh Corps from the field, and had gained possession of two of our batteries. Generals Hancock, Howard, Gibbon and other prominent Generals witnessed this charge, and gave it their highest commendation. The Fourth Ohio lost in this engagement three (3) commissioned officers and thirty four (34) enlisted men killed and wounded.

After the battle the regiment, with its brigade and division, marched in pursuit of the flying Rebels, passing through Frederick City; and thence, through Crampton's Gap of the South Mountain, crossing the Potomac River at Harper's Ferry, July 18th, marching through Smucker's Gap, Woodbury, Bloomfield and Upperville, to Markham and Manassas Gap; thence to Salem and White Plains, Warrenton Junction, Elk Run, Kelly's Ford on the Rappahannock, returning to Elk Run on the 1st of August. Here it remained until the 16th of August, and then moved to Bealton Station, and took cars for Alexandria, Virginia. On the 20th of August the regiment embarked for New York, arriving in that city on the 23rd. The riotous spirit prevailing there having subsided, the troops were removed, and on the 26th of August the Fourth Ohio moved to Jamaica, Long Island, near the city, in order that they might be on hand in case of further outbreak.

On the 6th of September the regiment took passage at New York City for Alexandria, Virginia, arriving there on the 11th. Again a series of marches commenced, embracing Fairfax Courthouse, Bristoe Station, Bealton, Brandy Station, Cedar Mountain and Robinson's Run, arriving at the last named place on the 17th of September, and remaining until October 6th. It then moved to Culpepper Courthouse; thence to Bealton Station; thence to Auburn; thence to Bristoe Station, where it had a skirmish with the enemy. After this another series of marches in a circle was gone through with, until, on the 26th of September, the regiment crossed the Rapidan at Germania Ford, and on the 27th, at Robinson's Cross Roads, it had a brisk skirmish with the enemy, with a loss of twenty-eight (28) men killed and wounded. On the 1st of December the regiment went into winter-quarters near Stevensburg, Virginia.

On the 6th of February the regiment moved to Morton's Ford, on the Rapidan, crossed the river, had a skirmish with the enemy, and lost seventeen (17) men wounded. Re-crossed the river on the 7th, and returned to camp near Stevensburg, Virginia, where it remained until the latter part of August. It then moved with the forces of General Grant, participating in the skirmishes and engagements of that arduous campaign, until in the early part of September, the term of enlistment of the main part of the regiment having expired, it was mustered out of the service as a regiment. Those who had re-enlisted as veterans were retained and organized into a battalion, called the Fourth Ohio Battalion. This remainder of the Fourth was placed on duty in and around Washington City, and continued in that locality until the final muster out, during the closing scenes of the war.

The movements of the regiment have thus been briefly noted, A few points, bearing on its relations to other regiments and to commanding officers may be added.

The Fourth was first brigaded with the Ninth Ohio, and How's Battery, Fourth United States Artillery, July 1861, Colonel Robert McCook commanding. This brigade was General McClellan's advance guard during his Western Virginia campaign. In January 1862, a new brigade was formed, consisting of the Fourth and Eighth Ohio Infantry, Clark's Battery of the Fourth United States Artillery, Damm's First Virginia Battery, Robinson's and Huntington's First Ohio Batteries, known as the Artillery Brigade of Lander's Division, commanded by Colonel J.S. Mason. After General Lander's death, in March 1862, General Shields assumed command of the Division. When the division was reorganized, the Fourth and Eighth Ohio, Fourteenth Indiana and Seventh Virginia Volunteers constituted the First Brigade of Shield's Division, Colonel Nathan Kimball of the Fourteenth Indiana commanding.

General Shields was relieved from his command in June 1862, and Kimball's Brigade ordered to join the Army of the Potomac, then on the Peninsula. After arriving there, it was assigned to the Second Army Corps as an independent brigade. In September 1862, the Third Division of the Second Army Corps was organized under General French, of which General Kimball's brigade constituted the First Brigade. General Kimball retained command until he was wounded at Fredericksburg. Colonel Mason, of the Fourth, succeeded him. General Mason was relieved in January 1863, when Colonel Brooks, of the Fifty-Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, was assigned. In April 1863 Colonel Samuel S, Carroll, of the Eighth Ohio, relieved Colonel Brooks, and retained command of the brigade up to its muster out.

The Fourth Ohio Infantry marched one thousand nine hundred and seventy five (1,975) miles, and traveled by railroad and transport two thousand two hundred and seventy nine (2,279) miles, making an aggregate of four thousand two hundred and fifty four (4,254) miles traveled. Throughout its career the Fourth maintained its reputation for discipline, efficiency in drill, and good conduct on the field of battle.

The "Canton Zouaves" were organized in the city of Canton, Starke County, Ohio, in early 1860 by James Wallace, a local lawyer, and several other local residents. Upon the organization of the company as part of the Ohio State Militia an election for officers was held, and Mr. Wallace was elected as the Captain of the new company. When the newly elected President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, came through Canton on his way to Washington in 1861, the company was called upon to serve as guards around the railroad station and stage where he gave a brief address. The regimental history of the Fourth Ohio stated that at the beginning of 1861 the "Canton Zouaves, numbering about forty active members, dressed in Zouave uniform, equipped with muskets and knapsacks, well drilled in "Hardee's Manual of Arms" and "McClellan's Bayonet Exercises."

With the calling up of volunteers in April 1861, the company responded with a will; Captain Wallace went to Columbus to offer the company's services to the Governor, while Lieutenants Percy S. Sowers and George F. Laird opened a recruiting office and quickly filled the company to the required number, and had them examined by Dr. L.M. Whiting of Canton. Upon completion of these examinations, and the acceptance of the services of the company, they moved to Columbus, and were quartered for a short time in the Ohio State Capital building, before being moved to the Asylum for the Blind.

Towards the end of April the company moved to Camp Dennison at Columbus, Ohio, where it was joined by other companies which were assigned to the newly forming 4th Ohio Infantry Regiment. On May 4th, 1861, the company was formed and was officially mustered into United States service as Company F of the 4th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment for the period of three months service, by Captain Gordon Granger of the United States Army. At Camp Dennison the company continued drilling and learning the School of the Soldier, when in June the call was made for volunteers to serve for three years service; a call was made and a large number of the men of the regiment stepped forward to volunteer, and on June 6th, 1861, the company was re-mustered into service for three years service.

The company served with the regiment throughout its service, on August 18th, 1861, the men whose original three month terms were expiring returned to Columbus, Ohio, and were officially mustered out of the service by Major John R. Edie, 15th U.S. Infantry. The three year men continued their service with the regiment, until June 1864 when the regiment returned to Ohio. On June 21st, 1864, the company was officially mustered out of United States service at Camp Chase, Ohio.

Following its mustering out the Canton Zouaves ceased to exist until January 1893, when they were re-organized under Herbert C. Smart of Canton, and once again became a part of the Ohio National Guard, serving as Company L of the 8th Regiment of Infantry. This organization would later serve in 1898 as Company L of the 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the Spanish American War. For more information on the history of the re-organized Canton Zouaves please look under the post-war section of the American Zouaves page.

(Library of Congress)

The image shown at left is from an 1861 song sheet for the 'Canton Zouave March,' and depicts an unknown officer, 1st Corporal Newton S. McAbee (1840-1894), 5th Sergeant William Wallace and Captain James Wallace (1838-1863). The officers appear dressed in the standard officers' uniform of dark blue frock coat, dark blue trousers with officers' stripe, kepi and the addition of shoulder aiguillettes. The enlisted men wear leggings with baggy trousers, sash with belt and circular spoon buckle, a vest with a large solid running down the center and a Zouave cut jacket and topped off with a kepi. Additional Research Pending